Shooting Range Grants Program

The Shooting Range Grants Program, administered by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD), is designed to support the development and enhancement of shooting ranges throughout the state. This initiative aims to improve access to safe, public facilities for hunting and shooting sports, enhance hunter education efforts, and support the recruitment, retention, and reactivation of individuals into outdoor shooting activities. The WGFD, as the state’s wildlife and hunting authority, promotes safety, skill-building, and public engagement through this recurring grant opportunity. The program offers financial support for infrastructure projects at recreational public shooting ranges. Eligible applicants must be based in Wyoming and offer public access to their range facilities, with clearly posted hours of operation. Projects must meaningfully serve the general public or directly support hunter education by providing safe venues for firearm and archery practice. Grant applicants must ensure that facilities funded through the program are maintained for the full useful life of the improvements. Grant funds may be used for a variety of capital improvements critical to range operations. Examples of eligible projects include the construction or enhancement of berms, sound baffles, shooting benches, trap and skeet houses, walkways, signage, and fencing. The program does not fund general operating expenses, advertising or promotional materials, consumables like ammunition or targets, or enhancements that are deemed beyond the basic operational needs of a shooting range. All expenditures must be tied to infrastructure directly supporting recreational shooting. Applications are accepted annually from July 1 through January 31. The application is hosted online and allows for editing after submission until the close of the application period. Applicants will receive a confirmation email with a link to continue editing their submission. Required materials include a detailed project description, location information, safety plans, public access details, financial estimates including any matching or in-kind contributions, and a copy of the property deed or lease. Proof of liability insurance and contact information for project leads are also mandatory. A review committee comprised of WGFD staff and partner organization representatives evaluates submissions each February. Final funding decisions are made by the WGFD Commission in March, with approved funds becoming available by July 1 or once a grant agreement is finalized—whichever is later. A maximum of $25,000 is awarded through this competitive program each year, and organizations may only receive one grant per cycle. All requests, regardless of amount, require formal approval by the WGFD Director’s Office. Proposals are assessed based on their proximity to population centers and other existing facilities, anticipated community benefits, frequency of public access, event programming, and the level of community and partner support. The presence of secured match funding or in-kind contributions also strengthens an application. Prior grantees who have defaulted on their obligations under previous awards are ineligible to reapply. This program is a recurring annual opportunity for organizations in Wyoming seeking to develop or upgrade shooting range infrastructure that serves the public and hunter education efforts.